Johnston to begin interference hearings next month, won’t be deterred’ from work
Global News
The 81-year-old former governor general has been under scrutiny over reported ties to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation.
David Johnston says his public hearings into foreign interference allegations will begin next month despite calls for him to resign as the government’s special rapporteur on the matter.
Johnston is appearing at the procedure and House affairs committee Tuesday, answering questions from members over his role as special rapporteur and his interim report released last month.
The 81-year-old former governor general, who was named special rapporteur by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to investigate claims of foreign interference, has been under scrutiny over reported ties to Trudeau and the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation.
He has faced renewed scrutiny from opposition MPs since releasing his interim report last month, which determined an independent public inquiry — a forum opposition MPs have been seeking for months to investigate the claims — was not warranted.
Instead, Johnston recommended public hearings overseen by him.
Trudeau has said he will abide by Johnston’s recommendations.
“I have heard clearly the disagreement with my recommendations not to call a public inquiry as well as allegations about my integrity and my independence. These allegations are … false and the decision to repeat them does not make them true,” Johnston told MPs on the committee.
“The issue of foreign interference deserves serious and robust debate. I will continue to invite disagreement on my recommendations, but will not be deterred from completing my work.”